Matchup: The top of the third pod features two teams that will make their NHSI debut in 2019, Blessed Trinity (Roswell, Ga.) and Marist (Chicago, Ill.). Blessed Trinity enters the 2019 event after advancing to the Georgia High School Association (GHSA) 4A semifinals in 2018, leading them to a No. 4 ranking by Perfect Game and No. 5 on the MaxPreps preseason charts. C.J. Abrams, a 2018 USA Baseball 18U National Team member, leads the charge into the season for the Titans. Abrams has shown plenty of first-round Draft potential, landing at the No. 3 and No. 5 spot in the Baseball America and MLB Pipeline prospect rankings, respectively.

The Titans face a tough task immediately, as they take on Marist, the No. 33-ranked team in the country according to Perfect Game, in the first round. The 2019 RedHawks will look to build on a fantastic 2018 season, after going 29-9 and competing in the Illinois High School Association (IHSA) tournament. Marist is led by star Jason Hodges, who is ranked No. 99 on Baseball America's top prospect list.

Matchup: The bottom of the pod features two more teams that will make the trip to Cary, North Carolina, for the first time in 2019: La Mirada (La Mirada, Calif.) and IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.). The Matadores and 2016 15U National Team member Jared Jones enters the 2019 season following a 26-4-1 campaign and an appearance in the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) second round in 2018.

La Mirada has a tough road to the title, as it faces star-studded IMG Academy in the opening round. IMG Academy will be one of the favorites in their first year at the NHSI after earning the No. 2 ranking in the country by both MaxPreps and Perfect Game. The Ascenders feature four players that have earned prospect rankings, including 2018 18U National Team member Brennan Malone. IMG Academy also boasts 17 division one commits on the roster, that will look to bring the trophy back to Florida for the second time in the history of the NHSI.